LXIV

Reason is in like manner enthralled by passion, as
an uxorious man is in the hands of an artful woman.
Thou may’st shut the door of joy upon that dwelling
where thou hearest resounding the scolding voice of
a woman.

LXV

Intellect, without firmness, is craft and chicanery;
and firmness, without intellect, perverseness and
obstinacy:—­First, prudence, good sense,
and discrimination, and then dominion; for the dominion
and good fortune of the ignorant are the armor of
rebellion against God.

LXVI

The sinner who spends and gives away is better than
the devotee who begs and lays by.

LXVII

Whoever foregoes carnal indulgence in order to get
the good opinion of mankind, has forsaken a lawful
passion and involved himself in what is forbidden:—­What,
wretched creature! can that hermit see in his own
tarnished mirror, or heart, who retires to a cell,
but not for the sake of God?

LXIX

A wise man should not through clemency overlook the
insolence of the vulgar, otherwise both sustain a
loss, for their respect for him is lessened and their
own brutality confirmed:—­When thou addressest
the low with urbanity and kindness, it only adds to
their pride and arrogance.

* * * *
*

LXXIV

In a season of drought and scarcity ask not the distressed
dervish, saying: “How are you?” Unless
on the condition that you apply a balm to his wound,
and supply him with the means of subsistence:—­The
ass which thou seest stuck in the slough with his
rider, compassionate from thy heart, otherwise do
not go near him. Now that thou went and asked
him how he fell, like a sturdy fellow bind up thy
loins, and take his ass by the tail.

LXXV

Two things are repugnant to reason: to expend
more than what Providence has allotted for us, and
to die before our ordained time:—­Whether
offered up in gratitude, or uttered in complaint, destiny
cannot be altered by a thousand sighs and lamentations.
The angel who presides over the store-house of the
winds feels no compunction, though he extinguish the
old woman’s lamp.

LXXVI

O you that are going in quest of food, sit down, that
you may have to eat. And, O you that death is
in quest of, go not on, for you cannot carry life
along with you:—­In search of thy daily bread,
whether thou exertest thyself, or whether thou dost
not, the God of Majesty and Glory will equally provide
it. Wert thou to walk into the mouth of a tiger
or lion, he could not devour thee, unless by the ordinance
of thy destiny.